Prize money

"Success seems to be largely a matter
of hanging on after others have let go."
- William Feather

If we want more people to take up running and join our clubs then I think one thing (amongst many) that would help is better prizes.

The last few races I've done the prizes have been, ?5 for third, box of biscuits for third. A cheap drill for 2nd place in a Marathon. Obviously we don't run for the money but if there was ?50 instead of ?5 in these races then it might encourage others?

Today's running: am 4 pm 11.

Quote and run

"Take the first step in faith. You don't
have to see the whole staircase.
Just take the first step."
- Martin Luther King Jr.

This morning my first step of my run was hurting but once I'd warmed up I was OK and ran a good 13.5 miles.

Total mileage this week: 69 which is the same as last week and I had a race!

Quote and Packwood 10K turns into a 11K

"You have to believe in yourself when no one else does.
That's what makes you a winner."
- Venus Williams

On Friday 17 July 2009 I ran the Packwood 10K and about half way through I got sent the wrong way along with the other first 4 people in the race. The front four were the only ones who got sent the wrong way and we didn't realise until about 1K later when we joined the pack again. I don't think any of us minded and I certainly didn't. It added some fun to the race.

I personally enjoyed it because when I we got back on course I got to overtake about 5 people again and got up to third place. It's a positive feeling when passing people later in the race. I also didn't mind because I knew I wouldn't get a PB because the course is not a PB course due to the hills.

I finished the race in 36.48 and using a calculator on my favourite website: Fetcheveryone this is 35.24 for 10K which is better than I ran the race in last year (36: 35).

The wind was also strong.

Quote and run

Bob does well in big races because he doesn't stand at the starting line and establish a pecking order. He doesn't look around and say: 'Oh, sp-and-so is here...' His great gift is his ability to focus completely on himself and his own race, and then let the place or the time take care of itself. - Coach Vince Lananna on Bob Kempainen

Last night my legs were aching all night. I think I need an easy interval session tonight. I have a partly hilly race on Friday night so I need to taper a bit.

Yesterday evening I put my Trailer Tent on Freecycle. I had a huge response, about 40 emails. Someone came around in the evening and took it. People love free stuff.

Yesterday was also a good day because my little K learnt to use her bike without stabilisers.

Good things come slow - especially in distance running. - Bill Dellinger, Oregon coach

Yesterday (Thursday) I did 1/2 mile reps on grass. Average 2:35. Very pleased with this effort and I thank Darren for dragging me around!

30 miles on my 30th Birthday

I've just come back to the longest run I've ever done. 30 miles. It wasn't as bad as I thought because I prepared myself for it. I'm glad I went early because I think it's going to be hot hot hot today.

Whilst doing the run I lost 4 kg! That is 8.8 pounds. I'm having a BBQ later on so I should easily put that back on.

I think that I have done 37500 steps.

The great thing about athletics is that it's like poker, sometimes you know what's in your hand and it may be a load of rubbish, but you've got to keep up the front. -Sebastian Coe

I had a great session on the track this afternoon. The best 800m session I've ever had. I did 8 with 1m30s rest. Here are the stats:

1) - 0.5m - 2:36(5:12/m) - 60cal
2) - 0.05m - 1:30(30:00/m) - 9cal
3) - 0.5m - 2:34(5:09/m) - 57cal
4) - 0.03m - 1:30(50:00/m) - 6cal
5) - 0.5m - 2:36(5:12/m) - 61cal
6) - 0.05m - 1:30(30:00/m) - 9cal
7) - 0.5m - 2:37(5:14/m) - 61cal
8) - 0.04m - 1:30(37:30/m) - 7cal
9) - 0.5m - 2:35(5:10/m) - 60cal
10) - 0.05m - 1:30(30:00/m) - 5cal
11) - 0.5m - 2:37(5:14/m) - 60cal
12) - 0.03m - 1:30(50:00/m) - 4cal
13) - 0.5m - 2:34(5:07/m) - 59cal
14) - 0.04m - 1:30(37:30/m) - 6cal
15) - 0.5m - 2:31(5:02/m) - 58cal
16) - 0.04m - 1:30(37:30/m) - 5cal